new bike needed - what shall I get?

[ms pepperpot]

well the very nice bike shop have said they'll build up a LHT for me to try first - so fingers crossed that i love it or else find something else that's perfect.

[ms pepperpot]

well, i'm not going to get to try out an LHT. Is it a daft idea to just go for it? Everything I read about them sound good, and the miracle is they're small enough. In theory I love it and my instinct says it's probably whwat I want. It would be custom built, so I should have quite a lot of flexibility to make sure that it is set up to fit me (or as much as possible) but it's quite a lot of money when it may not be perfect.

As a comparison I tried out a Dawes horizon. It was a touch too big - no stand over room on the smallest frame. The top tube didn't feel too long, but is about 45mm longer than the LHT. It did feel a bit too juddery and twitchy, but I'm not sure if that was just because I wasn't familiar with it and haven't ridden with drops for a very long time. On the plus side it's half the price of the LHT.

So is it daft to choose a bike I haven't had a chance to ride, or would there be enough flexibility in how it's built up to make sure it becomes the bike for me?

[alpinerabbit]

I did not test ride my second roadie. I just knew my first was too big. What mattered to me is top tube length, plus stem. How's that in the candidate bike?

[Blueberry]

One went smoking past me on the MS 150 this weekend If the shop can fit you and order the correct sized frame (they should be able to), I say go for it! You can always sell it if need be - lots of folks love Surly's.

CA

[ms pepperpot]

well i'm off to the bike shop tomorrow evening to tell them that i want the LHT and start planning the build - so probably a whole load more dilemmas.

[ginny]

I just got a Surly Long Haul Trucker and I was amazed at how 'small' a frame I required! I bought a 46. My road bike is a 50cm women's specific design. I had to get over the 26" wheel thing, but I really like the bike. It's geared for carrying a load (more like a mtn bike than a road bike). I climbed some serious hills on it this weekend, and only went into the smallest chain ring (front) two times. Other than that, I stayed in the middle chain ring and it was fine. It rides well loaded down and looks cute with fenders Obviously, I'm biased since I bought the thing and feel compelled to like it, but I really do like it and it is equally good for commuting as for touring... JMHO

[ms pepperpot]

I'm going for a 42 frame. In part that's why I'm going for the LHT as i haven't found any other bikes which suit what I want and are small enough for me. It will be a custom build and I am not sure what gearing I'll choose yet.

[SandyLS]

My son just got a LHT a few weeks ago as his first real bike as an adult. He is a big guy and needed a big bike. We were worried because the LBS does not have Surlys in stock to test ride. According to the Surly website this is pretty normal for their company. The LBS did a fitting for my son, ordered the green bike for him and it came in one week later. So far son is very happy with his new bike. He is a new rider so doesn't really have anything with which to compare this bike. All of the research we did to find a bike for him including T.E. and Bikeforums.com kept coming back to the LHT. It is not a lightweight bike with all of the bells and whistles, but it is a well built, sturdy bike that should give years of great rides.

[ms pepperpot]

Well, I've ordered it, so now just need to wait. I should get it on my actual birthday, which is rather exciting. I've booked the day off work so I can just spend the day cycling around.

[ASammy1]

How exciting! You will have to take pictures and post them on here. I love Surlys and the whole attitude of the company. What color did you order? do you have a name picked out?

[ms pepperpot]

I went for the green. I don't have a name yet, will have to see once it arrives. It's going to have custom built wheels which I'm quite excited about. I don't have a saddle chosen yet, so I need to start thinking about that.